June 5, 2002: "Rape Kits; HPD strives to end 'embarrassment' of untested DNA."

How much longer until we fix the problem? Since 2003, it's been clear that the crime lab needs to be independent of the police department, and recently, Harris County took steps to create just such a regional lab. But so far, the city of Houston hasn't put in its share of the money. So HPD's crime lab stays where it is. And the scandals keep coming.

Even in a tough economy, justice needs to be a city priority. How many more outrages are we willing to endure? How many rapists will we let roam the streets? How many wrongful convictions will we tolerate? How much longer will we allow justice to be denied?